Delhi buses' ridership reaches over 3.5 lakh

New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) With more and more buses out on rodas, the ridership of the DTC and cluster buses in the national capital has reached more than 3.5 lakh on Thursday, the Transport Department said on Friday.

While there were only 2,259 buses -- DTC as well as cluster -- on Delhi roads on Tuesday, the number of buses on Wednesday were 3,535 and further on Thursday, there were 3,983 buses out on roads.

"Ridership has also been increasing from 1,57,731 on Tuesday to 3,28,484 on Wednesday and to 3,52,661 on Thursday," the Transport Department said.

Out of 6,348 buses with DTC and DIMTS, the Transport Department has also been providing buses to various departments -- Revenue, Police and Health for Covid-19 related duties.

"The Revenue Department has hired buses from DTC for transporting migrants from different locations in Delhi to railway stations from where they are being sent to their home towns through Shramik Specials. The Revenue Department hired 1,027 DTC buses on Tuesday, 1,276 buses on Wednesday and 1,452 buses on Thursday," it added.

The police and Health Department too hired more than 700 buses.

"Social distancing is being ensured at all bus stands and depots by deploying marshals. Buses are being disinfected before out-shedding from the depots in the morning as well as in the afternoon. At the end of each trip, each bus is being disinfected," the Transport Department said.

Public transport in the city was started from Tuesday and along with buses, autos and taxis too were allowed.

Auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, and cycle-rickshaws are allowed in Delhi with only one passenger. Taxis and cabs are allowed with only two passengers. Gramin and eco-friendly sevas were allowed with only two passengers. Maxi cabs were allowed with only five passengers and RTVs with only 11 passengers.

The drivers are directed to ensure the disinfection of the passenger seats after each drop-off for the safety of the next passengers.

"A facility is being planned at all petrol pumps and CNG stations in Delhi to provide disinfection services to passengers as well as private vehicles at a minimal cost and it is likely to be operational in a week," the Transport Department added.